The Dispatch

The Mill Valley boys bowling team qualified for the state tournament on Monday at West Ridge Lanes in Topeka after placing second at the regional meet.

The Jaguars finished just 32 pins out of first, placing behind SM South (2,658) with 2,626 — one pin ahead of Topeka Seaman.

That one pin difference proved to be the biggest of the season as just the top two teams from the regional make it to state. Leading the boys team was regional champion, senior Nick Ridgeway. Ridgeway placed first with 698 pins, ahead of SM South’s Daniel Coup (689).

The Jaguars opened the meet with a 932-pin first game to set the tone. Mill Valley coach Adam Wessel said every bowler made a mark Monday, picking one another up whenever a teammate was off one game.

“It was our best effort of the year and we picked a perfect time to do it; we are heading to Wichita with a ton of confidence and looking to keep this going,” Wessel said. “I could not be prouder of the guys.”

St. James’ Adam Wood (660) also qualified for state, leading the Thunder with a seventh-place finish. The St. James boys placed seventh with 2,414.

Also on Monday, Cassie Widmer qualified for state after finishing second overall with 630 pins.

“Cassie was her usual self today and put together three great games and is headed back to Wichita again,” Wessel said. “She’s been so good for us this year and delivered again today. She has a real chance to make a mark at state this year.”

The Mill Valley girls placed sixth overall with 1,882 pins, ahead of seventh-place St. James (1,747). Alanna Dierking led the Thunder with a first-place finish with 674 pins.

The Class 5-1A bowling tournament will take place as scheduled on Thursday at the Northrock Lanes Bowling Center in Wichita. Stay tuned for the latest results from both the 6A and 5-1A tournaments.

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